Bad Hofgastein holidays

Don't miss the weekly farmers' market in the centre of Bad Hofgastein. Here you can sample and browse delicious produce from the local agricultural scene.

The town holds Star:Shopping evenings in July and August. The shops stay open until 10pm, so you can stroll and browse in the cool of the evening.

Potter through the pathways of the pedestrian area on a dry, clear night, window shopping as you go.

For a bit of live music and a few drinks on a Friday, head to Hotelbar Nortica, just off the lobby of the main body of the hotel. There are all kinds of musical acts, from oompah to rock'n'roll. There's also the odd open-air summer concert in town, so keep an eye and ear out.

The charming streets of Bad Hofgastein are lined with inviting pavement cafés and atmospheric restaurants. Here you'll find the traditional cuisines of the region - a mixture of Tyrolean, Italian and Austrian - though some places incorporate some American touches too. A lot of eateries are located near the Alpen Therme or in the town centre.

If you venture into the mountains, you'll find some quaint huts serving food and refreshments. Or if you'd just prefer to look at the view from afar, you'll find a restaurant inside the castle at Schlossl Weitmoser.

The main stop is outside the Hotel Österreichischerhof and there's a regular service between the local villages in the valley. Buses are discounted with your guest card and run every day, though times vary at weekends.

Your guest card gives you a discount on summer lifts. There are five lifts in the valley and you can either buy a one-day or 6-day pass, depending how often you wish to use them.

The nearest station is 3km outside town, and there's a local bus that will get you there in 11 minutes. From there you can catch a train to the castle in Werfen, which is about an hour away.

The centre of this old market town is made up of cobbled streets that lead out to mountain trails and paths. You can wander the picturesque pedestrian zone, browsing the shops, or stop for a spot of people-watching in the main square.

A lovely way to start exploring Bad Hofgastein is with a stroll around the town itself, along streets lined with charming shops and cafés. Marked footpaths lead out of the village, where 350km of walking and hiking trails await.

This is an excellent route for a good-weather day. Catch the bus to Bad Gastein and take the Stubnerkögelbahn up to the mid-station. From there, walk up to the Zitrauer Hichalm and then follow signs down to Böckfeldalm. A forest path will lead you on to Altböckstein, which is famous for its church.

Take the bus to the Graukogel chairlift and ride it up to the top, before following route 527 around the peak. Turning off onto route 524A and then onto 526, will eventually bring you past Seekral lake and on to Reedsee lake - a beautiful place to stop for a picnic and take in the views.